PermanentPosted 9 days ago
Patient Care Assistant - La Crosse - Full Time - PCA
Mayo Clinic · La Crosse, WI
Pay range with your report
Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in La Crosse, WI
Pay for certified nursing assistants in the La Crosse area centers on $19.94 per hour, or about $41,460 a year. The lower quarter earns under $19.20 and the upper quarter over $20.95. That ranks 96th of 380 U.S. metro areas for certified nursing assistant pay, and 38th of 341 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in La Crosse. The free report below lists employers near La Crosse and what they pay.
- $19.94median pay per hour, La Crosse
- $19–$21typical range per hour
- 920employed in the metro area
- 92cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
More open Certified Nursing Assistant roles in La Crosse
1 more open role from employers in La Crosse. Each employer’s range arrives with your free pay report.
Certified Nursing Assistant pay in La Crosse, WI
The metro median is 4% below the Wisconsin statewide median of $20.79 per hour. Nationally the median is $19.01 per hour. BLS counts about 920 nursing assistants employed in the La Crosse-Onalaska metro area, 11.1 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.23).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $18.06 | $37,560 | 5% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $19.20 | $39,940 | 1% above U.S. median |
| Median | $19.94 | $41,460 | 5% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $20.95 | $43,580 | 10% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $22.80 | $47,420 | 20% above U.S. median |
How La Crosse ranks
- 96th of 380 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 38th of 341 after adjusting for local prices
- 8th of 12 Wisconsin metro areas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
Get the La Crosse Certified Nursing Assistant pay report
Named employers near La Crosse, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportWhat your pay buys in La Crosse
- Overall prices in La Crosse-Onalaska run 8% below the U.S. average (index 91.8, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 31% below the U.S. average (index 69.4).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $19.94 median hour buys what $21.73 buys at the national price level, 14% above the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Estimate your La Crosse paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$718
- Per year: $35,892
- Per month: $2,991
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the La Crosse-Onalaska metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in La Crosse
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $110 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $68 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,246 |
| 13-week assignment | $16,198 |
Travel certified nursing assistant assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).
Open Certified Nursing Assistant roles in Wisconsin
Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in La Crosse as they open.
PermanentPosted today
Nursing Assistant - Acute Care Inpatient
Veterans Health Administration · Milwaukee, WI
$40k–$65k/ year
Top 25% payNew this week
PermanentPosted today
Health Unit Coordinator/Patient Care Assistant - Medical Surgical
Mayo Clinic · Barron, WI
$20.98–$29.19/ hour
Top 25% payNew this week
For youUpdated weekly
180+ more Certified Nursing Assistant roles for you in Wisconsin
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PermanentPosted today
Certified Nursing Assistant, Ortho/Neuro Unit- Nights
Mercy · Wisconsin
$17.57–$25.48/ hour
New this week
PermanentPosted yesterday
Patient Care Assistant - Emergency Department - PCA
Mayo Clinic · Eau Claire, WI
$20.00–$27.33/ hour
Top 25% payNew this week
PermanentPosted yesterday
Patient Care Assistant - Intensive Care Unit - PCA
Mayo Clinic · Eau Claire, WI
$20.00–$27.33/ hour
Top 25% payNew this week
PermanentPosted 2 days ago
Health Unit Coordinator/Patient Care Assistant - Pre/Post/Short Stay
Mayo Clinic · Eau Claire, WI
$20.98–$29.19/ hour
Top 25% payNew this week
Hospitals in La Crosse
CMS lists 2 hospitals in La Crosse, 2 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of certified nursing assistants.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Medical Center Inc La Crosse, WI | Acute care | Nonprofit | 5 of 5 | Yes |
| Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center La Crosse, WI | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Primary care shortage areas in La Crosse County
HRSA lists 1 active primary care shortage designation that include La Crosse County (1 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 12 on a 0 to 25 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.
Shortage areas are where demand for nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other clinicians is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.
Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.
Certified Nursing Assistant pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MN | 64 mi | $22.56/hr | 123,624 |
| Eau Claire, WI | 70 mi | $20.10/hr | 72,331 |
| Dubuque, IA | 95 mi | $19.45/hr | 58,987 |
| Madison, WI | 103 mi | $20.97/hr | 285,300 |
| Waterloo, IA | 108 mi | $18.31/hr | 67,477 |
| Woodbury, MN | 112 mi | $22.55/hr | 80,596 |
Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in Wisconsin · Certified Nursing Assistant jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Wisconsin
State-approved CNA training and active state registry listing. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Wisconsin requires for your role with the Wisconsin licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Wisconsin taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in La Crosse
La Crosse city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in La Crosse, WI?
Certified Nursing Assistants in the La Crosse-Onalaska metro area have a median pay of $19.94 per hour, about $41,460 a year. The middle half earn between $19.20 and $20.95 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is La Crosse a good place for certified nursing assistants once cost of living is counted?
La Crosse-Onalaska ranks 38th of 341 metro areas for certified nursing assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 96th of 380 before adjusting. Overall prices run 8% below the U.S. average.
Where do certified nursing assistants work in La Crosse?
CMS lists 2 hospitals in La Crosse, led by Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Medical Center Inc. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Wisconsin license to work in La Crosse as a certified nursing assistant?
State-approved CNA training and active state registry listing. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Wisconsin requires for your role with the Wisconsin licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
Is La Crosse in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 1 active primary care shortage designation that include La Crosse County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.
What is the per diem for a travel assignment in La Crosse?
The federal per diem benchmark in La Crosse is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place certified nursing assistants in La Crosse?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in La Crosse and across Wisconsin. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near La Crosse.
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What do employers near La Crosse pay certified nursing assistants? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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180+ Certified Nursing Assistant roles in Wisconsin, sent free by email
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Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your CNA pay reportLa Crosse, WI · pay published by hospitals, collected October 15, 2026
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- Advocate HealthBurlington, WI · 2 postings$26.00/ hr$21–$31
- Veterans Health AdministrationMilwaukee, WI · 2 postings$24.93/ hr$19–$31
- Mayo ClinicEau Claire, WI · 7 postings$23.66/ hr$20–$29
- MercyWisconsin · 6 postings$22.19/ hr$17–$29
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.
2What they are offering now
Low$18Median$21.60High$27
36 CNA postings with published pay in Wisconsin, 35 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 36 CNA roles
- Nursing Assistant - Acute Care InpatientPermanent$40k–$65k/ year
- Health Unit Coordinator/Patient Care Assistant - Medical SurgicalPermanent$20.98–$29.19/ hour
+ 34 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.